{"id":1790,"date":"2022-01-18T10:07:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-18T10:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recruitireland.com\/advice-centre\/?p=1790"},"modified":"2023-04-14T17:23:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T16:23:04","slug":"neurodiversity-makes-teams-more-productive-says-recruiter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recruitireland.com\/advice-centre\/neurodiversity-makes-teams-more-productive-says-recruiter\/","title":{"rendered":"Neurodiversity makes teams more productive, says recruiter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Companies are seeing an increasing range of benefits from employing graduates with neurodivergent challenges, says Peter Brabazon, CEO with Specialisterne Ireland, a not-for-profit specialist recruitment service.<\/p>\n

Neurodiversity views conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia\/DCD as a natural variance of the human brain rather than something to be cured. Specialisterne is working to reverse patterns of unemployment, which can be as high as 85% for some people with neurodivergent conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feedback we\u2019re getting from employers is that our candidates are loyal, hard-working and bring a lot to the teams they\u2019re working with,\u201d said Peter Brabazon. \u201cIt might be that they need very clear initial direction, but once they get on top of the job, they really thrive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith autism, for instance, where a person may lack social skills, we\u2019re also being told about candidates who have brought a great sense of humour and a different view.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past three years, Specialisterne\u2019s innovative employment programme, funded through the Ability Programme, has helped 146 students and recent graduates to secure employment or gain experience and training opportunities. Despite Covid, 71 of these are currently in employment, including students who secured internships and work placements.<\/p>\n

Several client companies have told Specialisterne that bringing in this new viewpoint has, in some cases, been very valuable in understanding products and customer experiences. One Microsoft study showed a jump in productivity, along with a boost in empathy for their teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeurodivergent people experience, interact with, and interpret the world in unique ways and can be a valuable asset to a company, with research showing that teams with neurodiverse members are more productive,\u201d explained Mr Brabazon.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our candidates, Patrick, is very good at IT, but he was very nervous about work when he started. He now works in quality control, and we\u2019re told that he has had a hugely positive influence on the team he\u2019s working with. He\u2019s also now in a relationship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe companies are benefitting from people bringing new skills and new perspectives. It\u2019s also very good for the country to help people go from being unemployed into roles where they\u2019re contributing to society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Brabazon\u2019s views are supported by the employers and the candidates themselves. Here is a small selection of their feedback.<\/p>\n

Neurodiversity delivers major gains<\/strong><\/p>\n